Photo: BSS

KUSHTIA, April 08, 2026 (BSS)- A mobile court today fined a local business establishment Bablu Pal Store Taka one lakh for illegally hoarding a large quantity of edible oil.

The penalty was imposed during a joint market monitoring operation conducted by the district administration and the National Consumer Rights Protection Department in Bara Bazar area of the district town.
 
According to mobile court officials, authorities discovered evidence of 5,573 liters of soybean oil being stored unlawfully in the store’s warehouse.

 When questioned, the owner failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the stock.
 
The court subsequently imposed the fine under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 2018. 
 
Executive Magistrate Tahmid Mustafa Hasan said that the law prohibits storing edible oil for more than 30 days. 
 
Masum Ali, Deputy Director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department in Kushtia, said some traders appeared to be hoarding products in anticipation of higher profits.

“Our operation will continue to prevent such irregularities. We expect the market supply of edible oil to remain stable,” he added.